J- I don’t know Ms.Goodwin. I was about to ask her…..what is more important? Going out with your friends or coming to my family night?

(J goes to his cubby to put his things away, then comes back and gently places a small white button down on the chart paper that I am writing on. He does not say anything-just places it there. I look up and realize that it has a pink breast cancer ribbon on it.)

J- That is for you. I know you really care about that.

(I have NEVER told them that I really care about that, but he may have noticed this when he watched our Zumbatomic performance.)

J- Ms.Goodwin, I also have to tell you that I gave two people in this class money yesterday.

ME- Really? Who did you give money to and why?

J- I gave T 25 cents, but I cannot remember why. I also gave S some money, 9 cents, because I think her family is poor.

ME- Why do you think that?

J- I just know it.

ME- J, thank you for being so thoughtful, but let me take care of the kids. You do not need to be bringing money in for people in this class.

I've been involved with Match Education for about 12 years — for seven years as a board member and as CEO since 2011. Before joining Match, I started and ran the Newark Charter School Fund and taught education stuff at Harvard Business School (odd but true). Way back, I was a dot-com entrepreneur. My first job in education, at 23, was as an assistant principal in a catholic school in Harlem.

We do four things here. We run a public K12 charter school in Boston (Match Charter School). We run a graduate school of education that prepares rookie teachers for work in high-need schools (Sposato GSE). We run an alternative college and jobs program for low-income students (Match Beyond). And we share our ideas and practices with the world (Match Export).

Assorted personal facts: I moved to New Jersey from Denmark when I was nine (the Danish part explains my weird name). Upon arrival, I learned English by watching television. I have three brothers. My wife and I have three daughters. The first thing on my mind when I wake up every day is espresso - I really like it. I also watch a lot of soccer on tv. I think it's the greatest sport in the world and a force for world peace.